The Press Box.

Little League Moves To Stop Fights

June 06, 1993

HAYWARD, Calif. — Little League officials east of San Francisco have imposed strict new guidelines for player and fan behavior in an attempt to prevent fights like one that killed a teenage spectator last month.

The rules adopted by Little League District 45 forbid heckling-so-called "trash talking"-and require one team to stay in the dugout after the game until the other team leaves.

They came in response to fights following two district games in May, including one Castro Valley brawl that began with heckling and ended with the death of 17-year-old fan Joseph Matteucci.

Anyone breaking the rules, even once, will be ejected, according to the guidelines.

Players could be suspended for a minimum of two games or the entire season, said Mike DeBone, the district administrator who proposed the new rules.

Matteucci was struck in the head with a baseball bat May 15 during a fight by players and fans from Castro Valley and Ashland.

On May 28, a spectator rooting for San Lorenzo knocked a Mount Eden player to the ground. Coaches had to restrain two other players to keep them from joining the altercation after the game.